Fire evacuation order lifted for Hudson’s Hope

The evacuation order has been lifted for the community of Hudson’s Hope near the W.A.C Bennett dam in northeast B.C. after two cm of rain in the area.

The town’s 1,100 residents were ordered to relocate to shelters in Fort St. John Wednesday after the Mount McAllister fire west of Chetwynd grew to an estimated 20,000 hectares.

“The District of Hudson’s Hope has been advised that the imminent risk to life and properties in your area has diminished at this time,” Hudson’s Hope Mayor Gwen Johansson said in a message posted on the district website.

The community remains on evacuation alert as firefighters and equipment arrive to try to bring the fire under control.

The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch downgraded its estimate of the fire’s size to 16,000 hectares Thursday. There are 38 firefighters and four helicopters on the fire, examining conditions for controlled burns to contain the fire.

BC Hydro employees at W.A.C. Bennett and Peace Canyon dams and powerhouses were also evacuated Wednesday, with the facilities continuing to operate remotely.